Look. I voted for Bernie in the primaries.

I liked his message, liked his history as an advocate for

civil rights, and his history as a senator that worked with Republicans to get stuff done.
But to say that Bernie not getting the nomination means the end of this movement is to
completely misunderstand the goal of his campaign.
First of all, let's look at what has already been accomplished. Even if we never see Bernie again,
which will not be the case, he funded a $200 million campaign almost entirely on individual
contributions. http://lat.ms/25BOiML This was done in a post-Citizens United world where this
kind of thing never happens. That is an accomplishment that will resonate with voters in the
future. It has given us an example that we can demand of our future candidates.
What's more is that the very substance of his campaign has changed the conversation in politics.
Breaking up the banks. 15 dollar minimum wage. Student debt. Native American rights (though
no one is really talking about the last one anymore). All of these issues have either been
introduced or invigorated just because Sanders ran, and will not go away simply because he
doesn't become the nominee. Sanders himself said that this campaign is not about him, but giving
a voice to the people that care about these issues. It's up to us to keep pressing our
representatives on these points. http://bit.ly/29zgRVX
That brings me to my main concern.
There are two candidates running for the executive office. And whichever one wins, we can
continue to demand the kind of change that the Sanders' campaign helped us get excited for. But
I believe that under one candidate, our voices have a much better chance of being heard. While
the other's policies will either be in direct opposition to things we like about Bernie, or will be so
controversial that any hope of gaining traction for the student debt crisis and the diminishing
middle class will be drowned out.
Mr. Trump's proposed tax plan includes tax cuts to those who make more than $300,000 per year
and a decrease of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 15%. So good luck getting a voice for the
shrinking middle class and those struggling in poverty under that. Admittedly, his plan introduces
cuts across the board. But his proposed savings in spending do not come near to making up for
the loss in tax revenue and would, by some estimates, increase our national deficit by $9 trillion
dollars. http://bit.ly/29xv8FG Additionally, Donald Trump has been an outspoken supporter of
the idea that Global Warming is a hoax. http://bit.ly/1Prv0pi He has also stated that he would
defund the Environmental Protection Agency. http://bit.ly/29sEaAr. This means that on day one
of his presidency, we would be discussing the environment with someone who does not consider
climate change to be one of Americas priorities. Mr. Trumps would be an administration in
which the environmental changes that Sanders, and all of us, have called for will be highly
contested at best, impossible at worst.

Now I'm going to say a name that will make many of you recoil and hiss like Gollum. But before
you cover your ears and start yelling, lets remember that it is also a name that Bernie Sanders
will "most likely" be drawing an arrow next to on the November ballot. http://cnn.it/28RGC0I . I
know the emails were bad. I know she is not as cool as Bernie Sanders. And a little bird never
landed on her podium. But what if we look at her proposed policies for one second? A tax plan
that adds a 4% increase to taxes on those making more than $5 million per year (otherwise
known as millionaires and billionaires) http://bit.ly/29zoPB1 And a demonstrated dedication
to taking on climate change and rallying the international community around fighting global
warming http://bit.ly/29v7ec9. Whether or not you agree with Secretary Clinton, and I do not
agree with her on a number of her actions in the past, any Bernie supporter must concede that
hers would be a much more inviting presidency in which to fight for the ideas of the Sanders
campaign.
I know it seems like once Sec. Clinton is acknowledged as the candidate, that all the work and
energy of the Sanders campaign will disappear. But that is simply not how these things work.
The Democratic Convention has not even taken place yet, but we already see that Bernie Sanders
is advising Sec. Clintons campaign. Sec. Clintons new plan addressing affordable education,
which she unveils after meetings with Sanders, is an option to make in-state public colleges and
universities free for students from families who make less than $125,000 a year. That is right
out of the Sanders playbook, and Bernie himself says he applaud[s] Secretary Clinton for the
very bold initiative she has just brought forth.... The final product is a result of the work of both
campaigns. http://nbcnews.to/29qU6TC The Bernie Sanders Campaign has not gone away
simply because his personal chances of becoming the president have.
You might remember that after Obama won the presidency in 2008, a certain second place
finisher joined him in the White House as Secretary of State. So even though the Sanders
campaign has already left an indelible mark on how we talk about politics, and even though he
personally has a meaningful voice in the Democratic campaign platform, there is still room
(under a Clinton presidency) for Bernie Sanders to work in the executive branch and be one of
the most meaningful choice makers in the country. (Chances are Sanders would not be invited
into a Trump cabinet.)
This campaign was never about Sanders the man, as awesome as he is. It was about his ideas and
his representation of our demand for change. We are the only ones that can allow that to die. So
lets help create an America where those ideas are welcome, and not drowned out by absurd
arguments about banning people from the U.S. based in their religion, or a trade war with
Mexico, or a tax plan that even top Republicans say will drive us back into recession.
http://cnnmon.ie/29iMo0i Lets do what Bernie has vowed to do; lets do everything we can to
keep Mr. Trump out of office, and lets keep pushing for leaders that will hear our voices.